HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-02-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - EMERGENCY AMBULANCE AGMT (2)AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
NEW BUSINESS George Caravalho
DATE: February 27, 1990
SUBJECT: Consideration of an Agreement
for the Provision of Emergency
Ambulance Transportation Services
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
Background:
In 1979, a number of cities filed suit against Los Angeles County to be relieved
of the cost of ambulance services while requiring the County to continue to
ensure the availability of ambulance services. In October, 1986, the Court of
Appeals ruled in favor of the cities and imposed full responsibility on the
County' for the provision of emergency ambulance transportation services
throughout the County, including incorporated areas.
The Los Angeles County' Board of Supervisors, to comply with the court order,
instructed the County Department of Health Services (DHS) to implement a
request -for -proposals (RFP) process to establish exclusive franchise zones to
provide emergency transportation services throughout the County. The County was
divided into eleven zones. The City of Santa Clarita was included in Zone J-10,
which covered the entire Santa Clarita 'Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, and
surrounding areas. Wilson Ambulance Service, Incorporated of Lancaster, was
awarded the contract for provision of emergency ambulance transportation
services for Zone J-10 including the City of Santa Clarita (Newhall Ambulance,
Incorporated submitted a proposal but was not awarded the contract). Wilson's
proposal to the County included subcontracting the Santa Clarita Valley portion
of Zone J-10, with Newhall Ambulance, Incorporated.
Since the award of contract by the County, Newhall Ambulance, Incorporated has
approached the City regarding contracting with the City to be the exclusive
emergency ambulance service provider. Newhall Ambulance, Incorporated's
proposal and draft agreement are included. Copies are also available for public
review at the City Clerk's Office.
Continued To: a_�/P
ft
Agenda Item:
Agenda Report
February 27, 1990
Newhall Ambulance, which has provided ambulance service to the Santa Clarita
Valley for twenty-six years, proposes to be the exclusive provider for emergency
ambulance transportation for the City of Santa Clarita's future annexation and
spheres of influence awarded to the City requiring such services. Further,
Newhall Ambulance, Incorporated proposes to provide these services at no cost to
the City provided the City guarantees that:
1) Newhall Ambulance, Incorporated will be the exclusive provider of emergency
and non -emergency ambulance transportation within the City limits; and
2) Newhall Ambulance, Incorporated will be requested to respond on all 911
emergency calls within City limits.
In addition, Newhall Ambulance proposes the following actions to closely
identify its services with the City:
- Change the identity of all ambulances to Santa Clarita Ambulance Service.
- Display the City emblem on.all vehicles.
- Provide assistance to the City's Emergency Preparedness Committee.
- Make resources available for in-service training of City staff.
- Development of a Disaster Response Unit (DRU) to assist with natural or
man-made disasters, such as"earthquakes, plane crashes, etcetera.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve entering into an agreement for
the provision of emergency ambulance transportation services. Further, that
Council direct staff to:
1) Finalize an agreement with Newhall Ambulance, Incorporated and bring it back
to Council for consideration and final approval; and
2) Take the necessary action to withdraw from the County for the provision of
. emergency ambulance services.